Chapter 48: No More Games

Zenobia's POV

It was yet another day and I was one step closer to bringing my plans to a reality.

I slowly walked through the empty vacant facility, looking at the structure of the building while I mentally pictured the company's set up. Jordan tailed behind us with a glum look on his face.

"I must admit, I actually like it," Tiffany said once we were done looking around, "I can see myself working here."

"I like it too."

"Question, what is your father going to think?"

"What do I care?"

"You should. You are creating a business that is going to be a rival to HT. It's like you're going to be an enemy, Zen."

"That's not my problem. I'm doing me but in a much better way. All the plans and pitch he and my uncle shot down, I will develop those here."

"You go, girl."

I watched as Jordan typed busily into his phone before sliding it back into his pocket. I walked to his direction. His eyes locked on me as I approached.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Everything is fine, Miss. Hollen."

"Really, because you seem a little distracted today and I can't have a distracted bodyguard."

"Apologies, ma'am."

"Good. Take us to the bank," I ordered. Tiffany and I walked ahead and out to the parking lot where the car was. Jordan held the door for us and we got in before he got into his seat and drove us to the bank.

~

"I'm heading to the ATM," Tiff said.

"Okay. I'm heading to one of the private tellers."

She departed and I showed my identification to one of the security guards and got escorted to one of the private tellers.

"Pleasant good morning, Miss. Hollen, what can I do for you today?"

"A withdrawal in the total amount of one million dollars," I answered.

"Wonderful. May I ask what's the reason for a large withdrawal?"

"Renovation of a property I recently purchased."

"Okay. Your card please, ma'am."

I handed her my black card. She accepted, scanned and swiped.

"Ummm.."

"Umm, what?" I asked, looking at her computer.

"There seems to be a problem with your black card."

"What's the problem?" I asked.

"Your potion of the account and funds have been frozen."

"WHAT, how can that be possible? This is The Hollens family account. We're all entitled to this account. I am a Hollen!" I shouted.

"And I am well aware ma'am. I'm trying to resolve this issue. Give me one moment please," she said.

"Sure."

She picked up her desk phone and made a phone call. Shortly, there was a knock on her door and someone walked in with a small white envelope. She handed it to me.

I tore into it and found a letter. A letter stating that I was froze from the black card account by one of the senior holders, Ethan Junior Hollen.

I heaved a sigh, got up and went to find Tiffany and Jordan. We got back into the car where I told Tiffany what had transpired with my share of the account.

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"Jordan, take me to Hollen Tower," I said.

~

I headed inside as we reached the skyscraper. I used the elevator and went up to my father's floor of work. Getting there, I pushed his door in and found him on the phone.

"Let me call you back," he said, ending the call.

"How dare you!?" I said and slammed the letter onto his desk, "You cut me off from the black card account! Just how low can you possibly go?"

"You made it clear you didn't need me."

"Right... and I don't!"

"Then why are you here throwing a tantrum like a kid?"

"You didn't create the black card account. You got on it just like I did. It's not yours alone. It doesn't belong to you only!"

"But I am a senior holder and I can damn well cut you off if I so choose and I did. I want to see you make it without me. Without The Hollens."

"You think freezing my black card is going to stop me from accomplishing what I want to?"

"I know it wouldn't. After all, you do have your own account which was handed to you."

"Stop with the denigrate bullshit. Everything you have were handed to you too. Grandfather handed this to you! The chair you're sitting in, the money you have, your pathetic authority and power, your first mansion. The black card. They were all handed to you too."

"But I wasn't ungrateful. I didn't turn around and make The Hollens look bad! That's the difference. Getting things and knowing what to do with it. You can't even keep a damn bodyguard!"

Ouch.

"Grow up, Zenobia. And get out of my office," he finished. I took the black card out my purse and placed it on his desk too.

"You'll see that I can and I will make it without The Hollens. And mark my words, there will come a day I am going kick you out of my office too. Just you wait."

I walked out, left his door wide open and headed for the elevator. I opened my private bank account and made a withdrawal from my own money while I was in the car.

We dropped Tiffany off at her place, and Jordan and I went to grab lunch before heading home. My money was safely delivered to my home and I contacted the renovators and interior decorator immediately. I couldn't wait to have the place ready.

~

A Few Weeks Later

My phone rang. I answered.

"Good morning, Miss. Hollen. This is Richard. Your interior designer."

"Richard, how's the place coming along?"

"Most excellent. I really think you'll like it. Especially your offices."

"How long before I can waltz in, everything else is approved on my end."

"Wonderful. It should be ready in one more week. I want to make certain everything is perfect and in order. The guys just finish applying the last coat of paint to the walls. I wouldn't want you inhaling that so..."

"I completely understand."

"But you can come by in a few days to see if everything is to your liking."

"I'm liking the sound of that. Thank you, Richard."

"You're welcome. See you soon."

I hung up and a wave of happiness swept through me. I called Tiffany and gave her the good news. She too was excited and couldn't wait to see her own office as well.

~
It was a few days later and Tiff and I were waiting for Richard's arrival at the entrance. He wanted to do the honors of giving us a tour of his work.

He arrived in decent time and ushered us into the building. The atmosphere was welcoming. The interior carried a gold and white theme as I wanted.

"Let's start with Miss. Smith's office firstly," Richard said, "We kept the white and gold theme as we didn't want anything to seem off or overpowering of another room," he said as he walked on.

"Wonderful."

"I can't wait to see my office," Tiffany said. The girl wouldn't stop leaping off the marble floors.

Richard pushed the doors in.

"Yessssss!" Tiffany screamed with delight
"Yessssss!" Tiffany screamed with delight.

"Miss. Hollen stated the office shold make a statement but not with an exclamation point. I hope this is of satisfaction," Richard said again.

"Are you kidding. You've executed this design, Richard. Well done," I compliment, "And Miss. Smith definitely likes it."

"It was a pleasure. Now, last but not least. Miss. Hollen, your office."

We headed to my office.

I gasped as we walked through the door

I gasped as we walked through the door.

"I love it. I'm in love with it. It's exactly what I wanted."

~

"Girl, I'm so ready to do this. I've never been so excited to start a job," Tiff said as we laughed over some non-alcoholic drinks at my home.

"I've been thinking. We should start looking for employees. A receptionist, a..."

"Girl, I'm way ahead of you. We're already receiving applicants." She handed me a folder with the printed out applications for the job positions.

"What would I do without you?" I asked her.

"Celebrating Zenobia," she said with a laugh.

"Ohh. That reminds me of something. The grand opening. We can have a celebration of my new company."

"Bitch, say no more."

Jordan walked by.

"Hey, Jordan. Tiff and I are having a grand opening for the launch of Zen & Iff Company."

"I like the name. Plays on both your names, right?" he asked.

"Exactly. So, you're invited."

"You know I have to be there."

"I'm not inviting you as my bodyguard. You'll be a guest. Feel free to bring someone. This weekend."

"Okay. I will."